Decision on proceedings in case of Eddie Hutch murder expected in next six months, inquest hears
Seán McCárthaigh
A decision on whether anyone will face a criminal prosecution over the murder of the brother of crime gang leader, Gerry Hutch, is expected within the next six months, an inquest has heard.
Detective Inspector Alan McDevitt told a brief sitting of the inquest into the death of Eddie Hutch at Dublin District Coroner’s Court on Wednesday that gardaí were awaiting directions in the case from the DPP.
Det Insp McDevitt confirmed that a file on what he described as “a complicated investigation” has been with the DPP since February 2024.
He told the coroner, Clare Keane, that he was hopeful that directions would be received from the DPP within the next six months.
It emerged last year that gardaí investigating Mr Hutch’s murder had identified three “persons of interest” who had fled Ireland shortly after the fatal shooting and had never returned.
Although not named at the hearing, it is understood one of the individuals regarded by gardaí as a suspect is Daniel Kinahan, a leading member of an international drugs cartel.
The 47-year-old crime gang leader, who currently operates from a base in Dubai, is believed to be one of 10 people that gardaí have recommended be charged with offences related to the killing of Mr Hutch.
The deceased – a 58-year-old taxi driver and father of five from Poplar Row, Ballybough, Dublin 3 – sustained several fatal gunshot wounds after he was approached by several assailants as he pulled up in his taxi outside his house on February 8, 2016.
Gardaí believe Mr Hutch was shot in retaliation for the brutal murder of David Byrne – a senior member of the Kinahan gang – during an attack on a boxing weigh-in ceremony at the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin three days earlier.
That killing sparked a bloody gangland feud between the rival Hutch and Kinahan criminal organisations which has resulted in the deaths of 18 people to date.
The Kinahan gang believe the attack on the Regency Hotel was planned by crime gang leader Gerry Hutch – known as “The Monk” – as revenge for the killing of his nephew, Gary Hutch, in Spain in September 2015.
Eddie Hutch was the first of six people associated with the Hutch gang to be murdered by the Kinahan cartel in 2016 in the aftermath of the murder of Mr Byrne.
Gardaí believe the victim, who was not involved in his brother’s criminal organisation, was targeted by members of the Kinahan gang solely because he was the brother of Gerry Hutch who had gone into hiding immediately after the Regency Hotel shooting.
It is believed Daniel Kinahan was the intended prime target of the attack but he managed to escape from the incident unharmed.
In April 2023, Gerry Hutch was found not guilty of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel following a 52-day non-jury trial before the Special Criminal Court.
The inquest previously heard that gardaí had conducted some 1,300 investigative tasks including the taking of 500 statements as part of the murder investigation.
Dr Keane granted the application by Det Insp McKevitt for an adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings are being considered and listed the case for further mention to September 17th.
